Envelope in continuous strip form



Feb. 28, 1939. P. c. WANSER Zywgs ENVELOPE TN CNTNUOUS STRTP FORM Filed May 10, 19:55 2 sheets-Sheet 1 LJQHLDEIRUSISL JOHN ooe muy co l Jouw ooe uws? com emmen 5 9 "f YM; VW fm,

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INVENTOR Paul C. Wanse Y Petented Feb. 2s, 1939 UNITED STATES lPATENT OFFICE Application May 10,

4 Claims.

The invention is concerned with improvements in office stationery, and particularly to an arrangement of envelopes in continuous strip form capable of economic and rapid manufacture and affording marked advantages in carrying on business correspondence and oiice transactions. The envelopes are arranged successively in the strip in edge to edge fashion, and are carried by a marginal supporting strip. The strip is capable of being inserted in a standard oice machine and the desired data applied to the successive envelope units as the strip is progressively fed therethrough. A common example would be the addressing of a series of envelopes with an addressograph, in which the addressing plates are inserted in the machine and the successive envelopes pass therethrough emerging as a continuous strip with the proper data thereon, the operation requiring but little attention from the attendant.

One or more strips of envelopes may be bound together, that is, with two or more envelopes superimposed one on the other. AAlso there may be associated with the respective envelope or superimposed envelopes various business forms o and carbons, the assembly as a whole constituting a continuous strip of successive units all carried by a marginal supporting strip and each unit in such case-comprising one or more envelopes and business forms and carbons.

Where the successive units comprise, for example, two envelopes, one may be a mailing envelope and the other a le envelope. In addition to the convenience in their use the arrange' ment assures that the data applied to the respective envelopes of a unit will correspond. If the units also include business forms there is the same assurance that the data applied thereto will correspond with the respective envelopes, and that the various forms will be inserted in the proper envelopes.

As illustrated by the several examples disclosed herein, the invention permits the use of envelopes which, as'individual units, may be of practically any design desired, dependent upon the circumstances and character of the use.

In general the various applications and forms of my invention and the advantages derived therefrom will be in part indicated in the following description and in part rendered apparent therefrom in connection with the annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same in the various ways contemplated by this invention, drawings depict- 1935, Serial No. 20,713

ing typical arrangements and indicating methods of manufacture and use have been annexed asl a part of this disclosure and, in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which:

Fig. 1 illustrates one example of envelopes prepared in continuous strip form;

Fig. 2 shows such an envelope strip with various b'iilisliness forms and carbons associated there- Fig. 3 shows the material arranged in continuous strip form horizontally as pictured in the drawings;

Fig. 4 corresponds to Fig. 3, but with various vsheets of material broken away or curled up to disclose better one of the envelopes arranged at the bottom;

Figs. 5 and 6 disclose another arrangement in which there are two rows of envelopes, one superimposed over the other;

Fig. 'l is a detail of one of the envelopes of Figs. 5 and 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of envelope capable of being employed in place of one of the envelopes shown in the various figures such as Fig. 6;

Figs. 9 and 10 show another continuous strip with a further modied type of envelope and including various business forms associated with the envelopes;

Fig. 11 discloses details of an envelope corresponding to that of Fig. 10; and

' Fig. 12 shows variations in the form of envelope which may be employed in place of the envelope of Figs. 10 and 1l.

Referring to the invention, rst in one of its more simple forms, a typical example of which is illustrated by Fig. l, this shows in plan a series of envelopes prepared in continuous strip form there being two complete envelope units here shown together with fragmentary portions of the preceding and succeeding envelopes respectively. 'I'he strip comprises two layers of paper one superimposed on the other. In the manufacture thereof a single strip may be folded over at the edge l to form the'two layers. or the two layers may comprise superimposed individual sheets. The envelope sections are carried by but made readily separable from a marginal supporting strip 2. The perforations 3 afford a convenient means for detaching the units from the supporting strip. As will be apparent, the line of vertical perforations 3 also defines the left marginal edge of the envelopes. The layers are fastened together at appropriate transverse and vertical lines. 'Ihis fastening may be through themeans'of stapling or sewing or any of the other means well known in this art and, as illustrated in this case. comprises the use of a gum or cement as indicated transversely at the strips 4 and along the left edge at 5. 'I'he successive envelope sections may have data impressed thereon such as the form matter illustrated in Fig. 1 in accordance with the requirements of the person for whose use it is intended. Ordinarily this data would be supplemented when used, by eurrent` data inserted in the blank spaces shown in accordance with the particular business item. The manner in which this supplemental data is applied may be by any of the suitable types of ofilce machines.

The individual envelopes will also normally be made readily separable manually by suitable impressions or devices as by the application of transverse perforations 6 extending through both sheets, or separation may be eected by a cutting operation.

Various types of envelopes are shown throughout the drawings typical of those readily adaptable to embodiment in the present invention. The envelope of Fig. 1, it will be seen, is of the type opening at the end and provided with a flap 1, comprising a folded over portion of the top sheet and adapted to be sealed down to the back panel by means of the gummed strip 8. The data on the front face of the envelope is merely illustrative. In the example of Fig. 1 the envelopes are numbered consecutively, the various numbers relating to a series of items or accounts, and the data to be inserted on the front face comprising a list of the contents of the envelope.

The strips of envelopes where desired may be combined with appropriate forms as shown in Fig. 2. The envelopes in this strip comprise the bottom layer Ill. superimposed one on the top of the other are suitable forms or data sheets I I, I2 and I3 with intervening carbons I4, I5 and IB, all bound together by the marginal strip I1 corresponding to marginal strip 2 of Fig. l. The top business form is provided with perforations I8` which may coincide with the row of perforations Y of the envelopes or be offset therefrom. The

same is true as to the other forms. The carbons will have corresponding perforations or not, dependent upon whether it is desired to sever them from the marginal strip or have them operable as snap-out carbons.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a horizontal strip arrangement of envelopes and with the open end of the envelopes at the top, as pictured in these figures, adjacent the common supporting strip I9. In this illustration also a series of business forms and carbons are associated with the envelopes. The various layers are bound together as by stapling shown at 20.

The series of business forms are shown at 2I, 22, 23 and 24, with intervening carbons at 25, 26 and 21. The set may include one or more envelopes in accordance with the requirements relating to the ofllce practice and nature -of the business matter in connection with which the stationery is to be used. One such envelope is shown at 28. This particular envelope pted for mailing purposes. A spot carbon 29 serves to transfer to the mailing envelope the name and address of the person- Richard Doe-in connection with whom the transaction is conducted.

Other data typed in the spaces 30 will be selectively transferred to the various forms including a iile envelope if one is employed, in accordance with the disposition of the carbon material.

The envelope 28 and also the various forms are readily separable from the marginal supporting strip I9. Perforations 32 enable the forms to be so detached. For detachment of the envelope aline of perforations 33 is provided in the upper sheet or front panel, and perforations 34 in the rear panel. The individual envelope then has the flap 35 provided with the gummed sealing portion 36. Perforations 31 in the sheets comprising the envelopes and various forms enables ready separation in the direction transverse to the length of the strip.

A still further adaptation of my invention is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, in which there are associated two continuous strips of envelopes. As shown, a set of business forms 49 of the fan-fold type are also associated therewith. Suitable intervening carbons will be employed, one such carbon being shown at 50. The upper of the two envelope strips is shown at 5I and the lower at 52.

Envelope 52 may be a plain open type, for example, and adapted for filing purpose. Envelope 5I may be as shown in Fig. 'I with the lower and the left and right edges cemented as shown by dash lines at 53. The lower panel may have its top portion 54 thereof readily detachable as Aby perforations or scoring along a line coinciding with the scoring 55 of the vtop layer. With the portion torn oif at the perforations, the ap part of the top sheet can be folded over backward for sealing the envelope along the gummed surface 56. Such an envelope would be appropriate for mailing. A spot carbon 51 enables the name and address of the sendee to be impressed in the space blocked out at 58 which corresponds with the typing space 59 of the top layer of stationery material. The left binding edge or marginal supporting strip may be made freelyl separable from each unit by perforations extending through the envelope material along the lines 60, and through the fan-fold form along the line 6I.

The respective units, as in previous cases, may be separated by cutting along the lines 62; or may be made freely separable manually by the application of scoring or perforations as shown.

In certain cases it may be desirable to provide envelopes of somewhat larger capacity, partico ularly for filing purposes. A cross section of a modified form of envelope of this nature is shown in Fig. 8 comprising a bellows type envelope with the sides expanded as here shown. This type can be conveniently made in a continuous strip of a single sheet for example. In the cross section of Fig. 8 the material is continuous from the left edge extending along the upper side, through the normally flatly folded bellows 65, the lower side, and the bellows 651 at the left. The final edge is cemented to the upper side at 66. This envelope could also be used conveniently for'example with the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2. Perforations are provided at 61 to enable the envelope to be readily detached from the left binding edge or marginal supporting strip.

In general the shape, and method of closure, of the envelopes will depend upon the purposes for which intended, including varied forms of aps and with the edges closed or open, and where intended to be closed, may be so adapted through the use of such well known devices and means clasps.

Further forms of envelopes which may be embodied in the present invention are shown in Figs. 9 to 12. As in other cases these envelopes also may have associated therewith suitable business forms, such as are indicated at 68 and 69. The envelope comprises a complete mailing unit 10, as shown generally in the rear of Fig. 10, and in more detail in Fig. 11.v The envelope of Fig. 12 is similar but includes additional details.

Referring to Fig. 11 the more simple arrangement there shown includes a front and a back section of an envelope indicated at 1.1 and 12 respectively. The interior of the envelope has suitably disposed transfer material, for the transfer of current data to the inner face of the rear section, here shown as spot carbons 13 and 14. Each section will have applied thereto prior to assembly, suitable permanent data, with blank spaces for the application of current data. For a large class of business correspondence, the envelope units can be manufactured and come to the user as completely sealed articles arranged in continuous strip form comprising a succession of units carried by a marginal supporting strip or strips. A convenient means of manufacture is to cement the two sections together completely around the outer edge as indicated by the border 15. In Fig. 11 two corners of the upper sheet of the unit are shown rolled over, but this is merely for the purpose of better illus- Vtrating the arrangement.

In the use of this form of envelope the desired data will be applied to the top sheet and simultaneously transferred to underlying sheets in accordance with the disposition of carbons or transfer media. Fig. shows an intervening carbon 11 designed to transfer all of the data to the second oflice sheet 69, which may be a duplicate of top sheet 68. A part carbon 18, however, serves to transfer only the name and address of the sendee to the front face of the envelope unit 10. This data will of course appear in the space 19 of each sheet including both sheets of the mailing unit 10. The spot carbon 14 serves to transfer this data to the second sheet thereof. The data, amount of the charges, meter number, and folio number will be transferred to the inner face of the bottom envelope sheet 12 through the medium of the spot carbon 13.

After all the data have been applied, the several sections of a unit are detached from the left binding edge or marginal supporting portion. This may be done readily through the provisions of perforations 80 extending through all of the sheets including the envelope unit and excepting the carbon sheets. The left edges will have been secured together originallyy as by stitching 8| for example.

The completely sealed envelope unit 10 is now ready for mailing. When received the addressee tears oif the edges at the perforations 82, and he hasat hand the bottom sheet 12 thereof with the complete correspondence or information. In the correspondence unit shown this envelope sheet 12 is substantially a duplicate of the top sheet 68 retained by the sender.

'Ihe relatively simple business stationery unit and operation just described may be varied great- `ly as to details of arrangement and type of the forms, and may include, for example, .filing envelopes and other matter specifically disclosed in connection with other figures. The mailing unit likewise may assume other forms, one such modied form appearing in Fig. 12. In this case 'i the unit includes three sheets all secured together originally at the outer border similarly to Fig. 11. The lower sheet 84, and the topmost sheet 85, comprise the outer sheets of the envelope proper enclosing an intermediate sheet 86. In the specific illustration the under faces of sheets 85 and 86 have carbon spots similarly applied; and the upper faces of sheets 84 and 86 will be similar as to the data appearing thereon. Utilizing this form, therefore, the sendee has two copies 84 and 88 after opening the letter, one of which he can retain, and the other return to the sender.

- It will be understood that throughout the description and drawings thereof the several illustrated forms are selected as being typical of the applications of the various principles of my invention; and that the terminology employed is merely for the purpose of description. By the term paper or stationery material I mean to include the various forms of material adapted and variously employed for stationery purposes such as cloth, bre and any of the various transparent or translucent forms of sheet material of cellulose derivative.

It is intended that the foregoing description in connection with the illustrative drawings will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or more of the features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specic aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the appended claims.

Accordingly, I claim as new and desire to secure the following by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. Envelopes in continuous strip form comprising layers of superimposed envelope sheet material joined together at appropriate places to define a succession of individual envelopes, said strip having an envelope supporting marginal portion common to the successive envelopes, and said strip being provided at appropriate places with suitable means for enabling the individual envelopes to be readily detached from each other and from the marginal portion.

2. Envelopes in continuous form comprising two layers of suitable envelope material and of extensive area one layer being superimposed on the other and at least one of said layers extending laterally to form a marginal strip for carrying the successive envelopes, said layers being perforated and suitably formed along the edge to define envelope units including extended flap portions, and said layers being joined together within the respective units along lines corresponding to the normally closed edges of unsealed envelopes.

3. Envelopes in continuous strip form comprising layers vof superimposed envelope sheet material joined together .at appropriate places corresponding to a succession of individual envelopes, said strip having a marginal portion common to the successive envelopes, and being provided with perforations along said marginal portion for ready ldetachment of the envelopes therefrom, and said strip being provided also with perforations between the successive envelope units for ready separation thereof.

4. Envelopes in continuous strip form comprising layers of superimposed envelope sheet material extending for an area corresponding to a 4 s,14s,sse

succession of envelope areas, and having a. marginal envelope supporting strip portion to which the envelope units are successively attached, said layers being suitably perforated to provide for separation as desired of the successive envelope units from each other and from the marginal strip and being successively impressed with data. in accordance with the intended ultimate use of the respective envelopes, and said layers being joined together along lines corresponding to the normally closed edges of unsealed envelopes.

PAUL C. WANSER. 

